U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from Wyckoff who represents the state's Fifth District, which stretches across the northern border of New Jersey, saw a November trip to France as a way "to engage both Democratic and Republican colleagues on critical policy matters, including NATO, ISIS and combating terrorism," according to a disclosure form he filed for a $11,000 trip paid for by private groups.

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., whose Eighth District includes parts of Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties, was also on the trip funded by The Ripon Society and the Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange. Pascrell's goals for the trip: to discuss tax, trade and health, according to his disclosure form.

In all, New Jersey's federal lawmakers and staffers they oversee during 2018 took more than $104,000 worth of "gift travel," trips paid for by non-government organizations. Federal rules and laws require both U.S. representatives and senators as well as their staff to disclose their travel.

Here's a look at gift travel in 2018 associated with New Jersey's federal lawmakers. In some cases, the staffers don't work for the lawmaker directly, but for committees of which the lawmaker is a leader.

Sen. Bob Menendez

Menendez, D: No tripsStaff: Four trips totaling $7,094Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to place on a $3,915 trip to Ukraine paid for by Atlantic Council. The eight-day trip was a study trip to meet with members of the Ukraine government, opposition parties, civil society and private sector.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks to a crowd of people gathered in the Kum & Go Theater on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in downtown Des Moines. This is Bookers first swing through Iowa after announcing he's running for president. (Photo11: Kelsey Kremer/The Register)

Sen. Cory Booker

Booker, D: No tripsStaff: Three trips totaling $9,535Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to place on a $5,488 trip to Zambia paid for by Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere. The seven-day trip was to see the impact of U.S. foreign assistance on health and development.

Congressman Donald Norcross discusses his visit with Migrant Children in South Jersey at the Center for Family Services in Camden on Monday, July 9.(Photo11: Justin Odendhal/Staff Photo)

Rep. Donald Norcross

Norcross, D: Two trips totaling $8,232Staff: Two trips totaling $1,186Most expensive trip: Norcross and his wife traveled to Vancouver on a $7,470 trip paid for by the Aspen Institute, Henry Luce Foundation, Democracy Fund and Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The five days of the trip funded by the organizations was for a conference on was about energy policy. Norcross personally paid to add three days to the trip.

Frank LoBiondo(Photo11: Bob Bielk/Asbury Park Press)

Rep. Frank LoBiondo

LoBiondo, R: No tripsStaff: Five trips totaling $3,669Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to Las Vegas for three days on a $1,300 trip paid for by National Association of Broadcasters. The trip was to attend the NAB Show and radio tour with the goal of learn about new technologies, including drone technology. LoBiondo, whose Second District includes part of southern Ocean County, retired at the end of the last Congress.

Congressman Tom MacArthur and Andy Kim, both candidates for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, sit down for an editorial board meeting with members of the Asbury Park Press and Gannett NJ. MacArthur speaks during the meeting.
Neptune, NJ
Thursday, October, 11, 2018
(Photo11: Doug Hood )

Rep. Tom MacArthur

MacArthur, R: No tripStaff: Three trips totaling $6,815Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to Mozambique on a $5,582 trip paid for by World Vision International, RESULTS Educational Fund and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The eight-day trip was about maternal and child health investments in foreign policy. MacArthur was defeated in November by Andy Kim for the Third District seat, which includes parts of Ocean and Burlington counties.

Rep. Chris Smith speaks. Election Night coverage at Ocean County Republican headquarters at the Days Hotel Wyndham in Toms River, New Jersey. Tuesday, November 6, 2018. David Gard /Correspondent(Photo11: David Gard)

Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Gottheimer, D: One trip totaling $10,452Staff: Five trips totaling $11,071. Most expensive trip: Gottheimer and his wife to Paris on a $10,452 trip paid for by Ripon Society and the Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange. The six-day trip was about enhancing international relations and discussing policy issues between the United States and France. The trip included attending the ceremonies surrounding the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Congressman Frank Pallone - Republican Rich Pezzullo and Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone answer questions with the Asbury Park Press Editorial Board on October 15, 2018 in Neptune, NJ. They are both running for Congress in this midterm. (Photo11: Peter Ackerman)

Rep. Frank Pallone

Pallone, D: No tripsStaff: Nine trips totaling $13,579. The staffers work for the Energy and Commerce Committee, but not Pallone's district office. Pallone signed off on the trips because he was the committee's ranking minority member. Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to London on a $2,944 trip paid for by R Street Institute and DrugScience. The six-day trip was about harm-reduction research related to tobacco. Pallone's Sixth District stretches along the coast of Monmouth County into Middlesex County.

Rep. Leonard Lance

Lance, R: No trips. Staff: Seven trips totaling $7,224Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to London on a $2,960 trip paid for by R Street Institute and DrugScience. The six-day trip was about tobacco harm reduction strategies. Lance lost his bid for re-election to Tom Malinowski.

Congressman Albio Sires(Photo11: Digital Collections/IPTC)

Rep. Albio Sires

Sires, D: No tripStaff: No trips

Rep. Bill Pascrell

Pascrell, D: One trip totaling $11,369Staff: No tripsMost expensive trip: Pascrell and his wife traveled to Paris on a $11,369 trip paid for by the Ripon Society and the Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange. The six-day trip was about enhancing international relations and discussing policy issues between the United States and France. The trip included attending the ceremonies surrounding the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Rep. Donald M. Payne

Payne, D: One trip totaling $2,500Staff: Two trips totaling $5,050 Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to Puerto Rico on a $2,549 trip paid for by U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen is pictured here speaking to the Morris County Chamber of Commerce on Friday.(Photo11: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen

Frelinghuysen, R: No tripsStaff: Five trips totaling $3,482Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to Standford University on a $1,097 trip paid for by the university. The three-day trip was to meet with policy experts at Hoover Institution. Frelinghuysen retired after the last Congress.

Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D 12th District) is the keynote speaker at the first Monmouth County Democrats Black America Caucus award luncheon at The Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune, on Saturday.(Photo11: James J.Connolly/correspondent)

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Watson Coleman, D: One trip totaling $644Staff: Two trips totaling $2,113. Most expensive trip: A staffer traveled to Las Vegas on a $1,351 trip paid for by National Association of Broadcasters. The three-day trip was to attend the NAB Show and radio tour.

Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com

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